Sun, 06/13/2010 - 1:00pmSnowboard tricks: How to backside 180

The backside 180 is perhaps the first kicker trick you’ll learn that feels as good as any tech, pro spin.

Something about the relaxed and slow rotation, spinning backwards and landing, without being able to see what you are doing, just feels damn good.

Check out Scott McMorris (Terminal Ferocity / Lockdown TSA 2008), Tristan Picot (Vivid / Absinthe 2003) or Nelson Pratt at the 2007 Brits (Show Offs / Lockdown Projects 2006). The notion of scoring tricks gets awkward with stylish 180s and as Westbeach Snowflex Series judge Mike Austin says,

‘A big smooth backside 180 should beat a 900 if it looks better. Tricks are an expression, not lap times.’

As always try these on a feature you are comfortable on and have a good go at it with some of your easy tricks before trying anything new. For backside 180s, make sure you can ride switch confidently as you’ll otherwise find it hard to summon the courage to stick this trick properly.
 

How to do it

1
Always approach the kicker as straight as you can. Approaching from an angle and carving on your approach can cause you problems. If you take off perfectly straight and keep it together, you’ll land straight and not have to worry about controlling your landing.

2
On your final approach to the kicker stay focused on the lip and hold your position. If you get eager and go too early you may travel to one side, scuff or, at worst, catch an edge.

3
Aim to pop right at the lip of the kicker. Your pop should be a gentle olllie or jump from your toe edge just to put you in the air. Keep the edge perfectly straight – you don’t need to spin, turn or carve from your toe edge.

4
When you pop, make a slight turn of your shoulders and turn your head to start looking behind you.

5
In the air you should keep your composure and slowly raise your knees and reach for your grab. If you have taken off right you shouldn’t have to worry too much about what goes on in the air. Stay cool or you’ll mess it up.

6
At the apex, or highest part of your trajectory, you should be at 90 degrees to the take off and holding a solid grab. Even if you’ve only just grabbed hold it at this point, the main thing is doing it now.

7
As you start to descend, keep a hold of your grab and don’t look round. The longer you hold your grab the more control you’ll keep. You should just use your peripheral vision or, at most, look directly down.

8
As you feel you are close to landing, or over the knuckle, let go and look down at your landing. Extend your legs (this will happen naturally when you let go of the grab) and aim for your toe edge to do all the landing work.

9
On the ground, holding your shoulders parallel to your board and your head slightly off centre to the direction you’re travelling should prevent over-rotating. Looking too far round or letting your shoulders keep turning will see you over-rotate, risking an edge catch.

Rider info

Name: Mike Austin
Age: 30
Sponsors: Endeavor Snowboards, ThirtyTwo Outerwear, Ignite Beanies, SP Bindings, Demon Accessories, Hoven Goggles, d3o Impact protection, TG Ski Chalet Holidays
Results: Battle of Waterloo 09, winning team. Brits 09, Slopestyle, 8th. Brits 08, Slopestyle, 4th. 
Favourite Resort: Morzine-Avoriaz, Portes du Soleil
Highs: 1st Place at the Best of British 05. Featuring in CNN advert for d3o and surviving with minimal injuries!
Lows: Injuries, other than that I don’t think snowboarding itself carries many lows
Something that makes you laugh: Family Guy, Shooting Stars, Ricky Gervais, Mock the Week, The Mighty Boosh, Garth Marenghis Dark Place
Something that makes you cry: I’m a big strong manly-man... next question!
Never leave home without: Somewhere to go, something to do & the things you need to do the thing it is you’re going to do

Trick: Backside 180 melon / Rider: Mike Austin / Photographer: James Bryant / Location: Kaunertal, Austria

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